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Rediff.com  » Business » Buying a SUV? Check this!

Buying a SUV? Check this!

Last updated on: March 2, 2010 19:14 IST

Image: Tata Safari.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com CarDekho.com

The Indian auto market has several sports utility vehicles (SUVs) to offer. Among the many SUVs trying to grab a piece of the Indian market Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari and Mahindra Xylo are neck to neck.

All three cars have their own unique features and set of fans. So, here is a comparison between the features of these cars to help you make a choice.

Talking about the specifications of these cars, beginning with Mahindra Scorpio, which is available with two different capacity engine options.

First one is a 2.2L, mHawk diesel engine producing 120bhp of maximum power at 4000rpm. And a 2.6L, SZ CRDe engine producing 115 bhp of power at 3800rpm with and 277.52 Nm of maximum torque at 1700-2200rpm.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Interior view of Tata Safari.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com
On the other hand Tata Safari has a 2.2L, 16 valve and a VTT DICOR engine with 140hp at the rate of 4000rpm and torque of 320Nm at the rate of 1700-2700 rpm.

While the petrol version has the 2.1L, 2092cc engine that delivers 127Bhp of maximum power at 5630rpm with 198Nm of maximum torque at 3750rpm.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Mahindra Xylo.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com
As for Mahindra Xylo, it is available with two different capacity diesel engines - mEagle CRDe and mDI CRDe. The 2.5L, 2498cc mEagle CRDe engine produces 112bhp of maximum power at 3800rpm with 260Nm of maximum torque at 1800-3000rpm.

While the 2.5L, 2489cc mDI CRDe delivers 95bhp of maximum power at 3600rpm with 220Nm of maximum torque 1400-2600rpm.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Tata Safari.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com
Features:

Safari comes with a split grille and badges on them, body coloured bumpers and new hard covers for the spare tyres.

Safari has tubeless tyres, day-night instrumental panel, wood finish centre console, leather seats, power windows, leather wrapped steering and gear knob and the headlamps stay lit-up for nearly 30 seconds after the ignition is turned off.

The car's remote unlocking system lightens the roof of the car for five seconds thus helping trace the car. The safety features include ABS, dual Airbags and reverse guide system teamed with crash safety features.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Mahindra Scorpio.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com

Safari's competitor Mahindra Scorpio is known for its rugged looks and style. The Scorpio's signature front grille now has a glint of silver in the middle and the bonnet scoop enhances the car's aggressive look.

Scorpio also has dual tone ORVMs that are electrically powered, the rear footstep seamlessly integrated with the rear bumper, multi-focal headlights with a unique 'Sunrays' reflector design and sporty fog lamps.

Scorpio is quite a safe car with crash protecting crumple zones and child locks, tubeless tyres, collapsible steering column and side intrusion beams, fire resistant upholstery and voice assist system.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Mahindra Scorpio.
Mahindra Xylo is also loaded with distinct features, which include five manually operated gear option, body colour bumpers, tachometer, alloys, ORVM indicators, climate controlled AC, power windows, remote controlled central locking, remote operated fuel filler, rear wiper and rear defogger.

Xylo also comes with rack type steering adjustment, adjustable driver seat, MP3 CD player, parking sensors, fog lamps and also rear seat belts and has buttons and controls on the steering.

Price and Mileage:

While Mahindra Scorpio gives an average of approximately 9.8kmpl in the city and 12.7kmpl on highways. The Tata Safari's diesel models give an average of approximately 10.45kmpl on city roads and 15.5kmpl on highways and the petrol model gives an average of approximately 6.5kmpl on city roads and 12.0kmpl on highways.

Mahindra Xylo gives an average of approximately 11.0 kmpl on city roads and 14.0kmpl on highways.

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Mahindra Xylo.
Scorpio comes with a price tag ranging between Rs 7,47,800-Rs 10,35,100 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) while Safari comes in the price range of Rs 7,70,761-11, 65, 824 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and Mahindra Xylo falls in the price range of about Rs 6,36,849 - Rs 8,09,975 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

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Buying a SUV? Check this!

Image: Interior of Mahindra Xylo.
Photographs: Courtesy, CarDekho.com

All the three cars have carved out their own niche in the market and are constantly evolving their specifications to meet the ever-changing demands of the dynamic Indian market.

However, on closely analysing the pros and cons of all three vehicles it seems that while Scorpio delivers high performance and comfort, Safari has lots of power and impressive cruising abilities and Xylo has good fuel efficiency and competitive price to offer. Thus, bringing them almost neck-to-neck.

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